Manufacturers in Wales must think global and capitalise on the opportunities presented by overseas markets. That will be the message from the Secretary of State for Wales Alun Cairns when he addresses representatives of leading manufacturing companies in south Wales today (Monday 9 October).

Speaking at the Barclays Welsh Manufacturing event at SPTS Technologies in Newport, Mr Cairns will say that the “world leading skills and knowledge we have here in Wales is envied the world over”. He will also call on Welsh manufacturers of all sizes to seize the support available from the UK Government to identify opportunities to sell their products in global markets.

The manufacturing sector in Wales is made up of over 5,000 companies, employing around 150,000 people. And the sector is growing with 22,000 more jobs in the sector in Wales than in 2010.

The Secretary of State will take the opportunity to call for closer collaboration between the sector and the two governments in Wales to help address the challenges the sector faces, including resourcing a skilled workforce and the wider economic challenge of productivity.

He will say:

The close relationship between industry and government stand only to benefit manufacturers in Wales. I want Wales and the wider UK to be the best place in the world to do business – and I want the UK Government and Welsh Government to provide as much support as possible for companies in achieving this aim.

With the fourth round of EU exit negotiations underway, the UK Government is stepping up its engagement with businesses across the UK to ensure the voices of British businesses are heard and reflected throughout the exit process.

Mr Cairns added:

Today’s event gives me another great opportunity to hear about various businesses’ priorities for our EU exit.

We are absolutely committed to achieving a deal which works for every region in the UK which is why it is vital that we continue to speak with businesses and organisations from across the country to ensure their views are fully represented as we move through the negotiations.

Notes to editors:

The UK Government has developed the Wales Export Guide – a document that sets out the full range of support available to Welsh businesses from the UK Government and contains inspiring stories of companies based in Wales that are successfully exporting.